The oil and gas industry will continue to provide dynamic and diverse career opportunities for budding professionals for decades to come. This was the core message at an interactive careers presentation held at Harlaw Academy in Aberdeen recently.
Led by Cammy Keith and Gemma Stuart – key team members of recruitment specialists Thorpe Molloy – the session was run for the class of S3 engineering science students, many of whom are considering careers in the industry and wider energy sector.
During a pre-Q&A presentation, Cammy and Gemma spoke of current employment opportunities that will be open to the students when they leave school.
Developments in decommissioning, Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE), new technology development and maintenance, they noted, are boosting employment in the north-east and beyond, and will continue to do so.
What is vital at this point in time is that young students understand the ways they can gain entry into the industry.
The recruitment experts explained that, while important for certain job types, university is being increasingly recognised as just one route to employment.
Other routes such as apprenticeships, college courses and internships also provide excellent opportunities for school leavers.
Also, oil and gas professionals have never been in a stronger position to diversify within their companies – the primary reason being, with the skills shortage, companies are focusing on staff retention more than before.
After the presentation, the students were invited to come forward with questions they had about careers in the industry. From shift patterns, to entry salaries and apprenticeship opportunities, the students were ready with questions which were answered.
Talking after the interactive session, Cammy and Gemma stated how important it is for oil and gas-related organisations to provide open forums like this where students can speak.
Gemma, who works in Thorpe Molloy’s QHSE specialism, said that there is still some progress to be made in helping students understand the opportunities.
She said: “I think from what Cammy and I did today, it was clear that more school pupils need to be aware that oil and gas jobs aren’t just engineering-based. There are lots of other areas, such as finance and HR, and I think a lot of students don’t realise that.
“I also think that oil and gas companies need to consider communicating more with students of this age. At the moment, the focus seems to be more on graduates, but they need to also think about students still going through their secondary education.”
Cammy, who heads up a team within the agency’s Professional Trades specialism, added that initially studying a non-energy-related degree at college or university doesn’t necessarily exclude candidates from transferring into the industry.
He said: “At university or college, I think it’s really important to do something you enjoy. That won’t mean that you can’t diversify out of it. For example, our degrees don’t relate to what we do now. It’s all about showing an employer you have the ability to learn.
“So I think you should do something you enjoy first and foremost. But, of course, if you want to do a specific job such as mechanical engineering or accountancy, you really do have to study that specific course.”
Recommended for you
